SAIP2013

Synthesis and characterisation of carbon nanostructures, for hydrogen storage and gas sensing application.

10 Jul 2013, 17:40

1h

Poster Presentation Track F - Applied Physics Poster2

Speaker

Mr Charles Thulani Thethwayo (University of Zululand)

Level for award<br>&nbsp;(Hons, MSc, <br> &nbsp; PhD)?

MSc

Apply to be<br> considered for a student <br> &nbsp; award (Yes / No)?

yes

Abstract content <br> &nbsp; (Max 300 words)

In this work, we study carbon nanofibers(CNFs) grown on zinc oxide nanorods for hydrogen storage. Zinc Oxide nanodots have been deposited using DC magnetron sputtering. We have then grown aligned ZnO nanorods on the ZnO nanodots and then grown carbon fibres in vacuum using acetlylene as a source of carbon. The structure and morphology of ZnO:CNFs and ZnO nanorods have been studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Carbon nanofibers have small diameters, a pore-size distribution which leads to excellent adsorption capacity and improved gas-sensing ability. Initial Elastic Recoil Detection Analysis (ERDA) results are presented and they show promise that these fibres are promising candidates for hydrogen storage.

Would you like to <br> submit a short paper <br> for the Conference <br> Proceedings (Yes / No)?

No

Main supervisor (name and email)<br>and his / her institution

Prof OM Ndwandwe, muzi.ndwandwe@gmail.com, university of Zululand